Purse insert having interchangeable accessory holders and method therefor

ABSTRACT

An adjustable size purse insert for easily transferring items from one purse to another. The adjustable purse insert has a plurality of accessory holders for holding and storing different items within a purse. A coupling device is coupled to a body section of each of the plurality of accessory holders. The coupling device allows for removably coupling successive accessory holders together. This allows the purse insert to be adjustable in size and to allow individuals to combine different accessory holders together to form different sizes and configurations of purse inserts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to purses and handbags, and morespecifically, to a purse insert which will have a plurality of differentinterchangeable accessory holders. The purse insert will allow for theeasy transfer of articles from one purse/handbag to another.

2. Background of the Invention

The majority of women carry purses or handbags (hereinafter purse) forstoring various personal items. Most women consider a purse a necessityin order to store all the different items which they may use to supporttheir daily activities. Some of the items which a typical purse maystore, include, but is not limited to, credit cards, photographs,identification or personal credentials, glasses/sunglasses, checkbook,wallet, change purse, keys, stamps, coupons, note paper and pen, phonenumber listings, tissues, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), cellularphone, pager, and the like.

To accommodate one or more of these various items, purse manufacturershave provided purses which include specialized compartments for theorderly reception of some of these different items. However, most pursesdo not have a sufficient amount of specialized compartments tohold/store all of the different items which a woman may want stored inher purse. Thus, many times the user ends up placing the majority of theitems in the main compartment of the purse. When this happens, many ofthe items often become entangled at the bottom of the purse compartmentmaking it difficult for the user to retrieve a particular item.

In order to accommodate the many different individual aestheticpreferences of the user and in order to compliment a particular garmentor occasion, manufacturers have designed numerous different types andstyles of purses. Women are frequently changing from one purse toanother in order to match the style of the purse with the occasion or acolor of a particular dress or article of apparel. When this is done, itis necessary for the user to remove the needed contents from one purseand then transfer the contents to another. As pointed out above, thiscan be difficult as many items have been loosely placed within the purseand it is necessary to sort through the items in the purse and make thetransfer so that the selected new purse contains the necessary items.Transferring of items from one handbag to another is not efficient andoften items are forgotten or left in a previous handbag which are neededlater.

Presently, there are several different types of purse inserts. Thesepurse inserts have several compartments for storing different itemswithin a purse. The problem with these inserts is that there are notenough compartments to store the many different items a woman may placein the purse. Furthermore, the purse insert is not adjustable. Presentpurse inserts only come in a single size. The problem is that thesepurse inserts will not fit into smaller purses and handbags.

Therefore, a need existed to provide an improved purse insert thatovercomes the above mentioned problem. The improved purse insert willallow for the easy and organized transfer of items from one purse toanother. The improved purse insert will be adjustable. The improvedpurse insert will have a plurality of interchangeable accessory holdersin order to hold and store the many different items in the purse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is anobject of the present invention to provide an improved purse insert.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedpurse insert that will allow for the easy transfer of items from onepurse to another.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved purse insert that is adjustable.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedpurse insert that will have a plurality of interchangeable accessoryholders in order to hold and store the many different items in thepurse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, anadjustable size purse insert for easily transferring items from onepurse to another is disclosed. The adjustable purse insert has aplurality of accessory holders for holding and storing different itemswithin a purse. A coupling device is coupled to a body section of eachof the plurality of accessory holders. The coupling device allows forremovably coupling successive accessory holders together. This allowsthe purse insert to be adjustable in size and to allow individuals tocombine different accessory holders together to form different sizes andconfigurations of purse inserts.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following, more particular,description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as apreferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understoodby reference to the following detailed description of illustratedembodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.

FIG. 1 is an exploded elevated perspective view of one embodiment of theadjustable purse insert of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the adjustable purseinsert of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of theadjustable purse insert of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the adjustable purseinsert of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the FIG. 1, an adjustable purse insert 10 (hereinafterpurse insert 10) is shown. The purse insert 10 is comprised of aplurality of different accessory holders 12. Each accessory holder 12 isdesigned to hold and store different items which a woman may requireand/or use during the day. For example, in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the purse insert 10 has an accessory holder 12 which is designedas a sunglasses/eyeglasses case 14. Another accessory holder 12 isdesigned as a wallet holder 16. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1,other types of accessory holders 12 include a credit cardholder/personal identification card holder 18, an address book/PDAholder 20, and a key holder 22. It should be noted that other types ofaccessory holders 12 may be used. These other types of accessory holders12 will be described in relation to the other embodiments. However, itshould be kept in mind that any combination of different accessoryholders 12 may be used in any of the different embodiments.

Each accessory holder 12 will have a coupling device 24 attached to thebody section of accessory holder 12. The coupling device 24 will allowan accessory holder 12 to be removably coupled to a correspondingaccessory holder 12. Thus, each individual accessory holder 12 may havea corresponding accessory holder 12 removable coupled to either thefront, back, or both the front and back of the body section. Thecoupling device 24 may be any type of device which will allow one toeasily attach and remove the accessory holders 12 from one another. Inaccordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the coupling device24 is made of a hook and loop material. Thus, front side of each body ofeach accessory holder 12 will have a strip of hook material 24A and aback side of each body section of each accessory holder 12 will have astrip of loop material 24B (or vice versa). This will allow eachaccessory holder 12 to be removably coupled to a corresponding accessoryholder 12.

As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the coupling devices 24 areplaced at the bottom body section of each accessory holder 12. Suchplacement is functionally novel as pertains to the plurality ofaccessory holders 12. By placing such coupling devices 24 on the lowerportion, flexibility and availability of external items exist in thepurse. In particular, the added flexibility occurs because the couplingdevice 24 slightly pivots at the bottom end, much like a hinge.Consequently, the more accessory holders 12 that are added in, the moreflexible the accessory holders become. As a result of the addedflexibility, access to the external portions of the accessory holdersbecomes available and items externally located on the plurality ofaccessory holders, including the key holder 22 and the creditcard/personal identification holders 18, may be inserted/extracted fromthe purse.

The sunglass/eyeglass case 14 holds and stores the sunglasses/eyeglasseswhen one no longer wishes to wear them. Additionally, thesunglass/eyeglass case serves a useful purpose when quick access isneeded to a pair of sunglasses, including when direct sunlight blindsthe driver of a vehicle or when one losses their contacts. Furthermore,one may retrieve the sunglasses/eyeglasses from the convenient sideopening 30 when items are placed on top of the purse inserts.

Structurally, the sunglass/eyeglass case 14 is attached by a couplingdevice 24 on the bottom portion of the case to another accessory holder12. The case contains a hard or soft rectangular shaped body 14 a havingan interiorly hollowed area with one opened end 30. A coefficient offriction exists against the hollowed interior walls 14 b of therectangular shaped body 14 a and the inserted pair ofsunglasses/eyeglasses. Thus, the sunglasses/eyeglasses are preventedfrom falling out of the opened end 30.

The wallet holder 16 is designed to expand and contract with the size ofthe wallet due to the many forms of wallets women carry. The walletholder 16 performs the acts of expanding/contracting by the use of anaccordion file-type shaped body 16 a having a hollow interior section. Abendable flap 34 closes the interior bounded portion through the use ofa clasping or coupling device 36. As a result, a user of the walletholder 16 inserts the wallet into the wallet holder 16, and covers andsecures it using the bendable flap 34. Therefore, the wallet will notfall out of the wallet holder 16 and hence the purse. A coupling device24

Another accessory holder 12 in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1includes a credit card holder/personal identification holder 18. Thecredit card holder/personal identification holder 18 is a flatrectangular piece of material 18 a containing slots 38. The slots 38hold the exteriorly located credit cards/personal identification to theflat rectangular piece of material. Accordingly, one may use the creditcard holder/personal identification holder 18 by placing creditcards/personal identification in the slots 38 in the flat rectangularpiece of material 18 a.

Another instance of an item a woman may require and/or use during theday is an address book/PDA holder 20. The address book/PDA holder 20expands and contracts with the size of the address book/PDA due to themany forms of address books/PDAs women carry. The address book/PDAholder 20 performs the acts of expanding/contracting by the use of anaccordion file-type shaped body 40. A zipper 42 is coupled to the body40 and covers the interior bounded portion, which also secures theaddress book/PDA. As a result, a user of the accessory holder insertsthe address book/PDA into the holder 20, and covers and secures it usingthe zipper 42. As a result, the address book/PDA will not fall out ofthe purse.

A key holder 22 is also depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 1.Specifically, the key holder 22 is attached to the address book/PDAholder 20. However, unlike the plurality of accessory holders 12 thatcarry specific items, the key holder may attach to any one of theaccessory holders, including the sunglass/eyeglass holder 14, walletholder 16, and credit card/personal identification holder 18.Compositely, the key holder 22 is made of a bendable, durable strip-likematerial, which may include leather or flexible plastic. The key holder22 has a coupling device 24. Therefore, a set of keys may be securedinto one of the plurality of accessory holders 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, wherein like numerals and symbols representlike elements, a side view of another embodiment of the purse insert 10is shown. In this embodiment, the purse insert 10 is similar to theembodiment depicted in FIG. 1. The main difference is that there areadditional accessory holders 12 removably coupled together. In thisembodiment, the key holder 22 is individually coupled to a correspondingaccessory holder 12. Furthermore, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2,one may see the individual strips of hook and loop material on each ofthe individual accessory holders 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, wherein like numerals and symbols represent likeelements, another embodiment of the purse insert 10 is shown. In thisembodiment, the purse insert 10 is similar to the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2. The main difference is that the accessory holders 12 areremovably coupled to each other in a side by side position. The couplingdevice 24 is attached to a side section of each accessory holder 12.

In the present embodiment, two different types of coupling devices 24are shown. One coupling device 24 is the same as in the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. A piece of hook material 24A may be placed ona side of each accessory holder 12. A separate piece of loop material24B is then used to coupled successive accessory holders 12 together.Once again it should be noted that the hook and loop material may beswitched or that different types of coupling devices may be used. FIG. 3shows an alternative method for coupling successive accessory holders 12together. Snaps 24C may be used to removably couple successive accessoryholders 12 together. One or more male connector may be coupled to eachaccessory holder 12. A female connector may be on a separate piece ofmaterial and used to connect successive accessory holders 12 together.Once again it should be noted that the male and female connectors may beswitched.

In the present embodiment, additional accessory holders 12 are shown. Inthis embodiment, an accessory holder 12 is designed as a cosmetic holder26. The cosmetic holder 26 expands and contracts with the size of theamount of cosmetics due to the many forms of cosmetics women carry. Thecosmetic holder 26 expands/contracts by the use of an accordionfile-type shaped body 46. A bendable flap 48 coupled to the body 46covers the interior bounded portion, which also secures the cosmeticsthrough the use of a clasping or coupling device 50. As a result, a userof the accessory holder inserts their cosmetics into the holder, andcovers and secures it using the bendable flap 48. Therefore, thecosmetics will not fall out of the purse. Accordingly, the usefulness ofthis specific insert is apparent when one needs access to cosmetics, butneeds to carry other items as well, including keys, sunglasses, etc.Additionally, it should be noted that other items may be placed insidethe cosmetic holder 26 besides cosmetics. For example, other items thatmay be stored inside the cosmetic holder 26 include, but is not limitedto: a notepad and pencil/pen, coupons for shopping, pictures, loosechange, etc.

A cellular phone/pager holder 28 is also depicted in the embodiment ofFIG. 3. The cellular phone/pager holder has a rectangular shaped bodysection 30 having an interiorly bounded portion. A fastening deviceopens and closes the singular opening for the insertion/extraction ofthe cellular phone/pager. As a result, the holder secures the cellularphone/pager.

The first accessory holder from the left-hand side depicted in theembodiment of FIG. 3 is a checkbook holder 30. The checkbook holder 30has a flat rectangular shaped body 30′ of fixed size having an interiorbounded portion for the insertion/extraction of checkbook. Additionally,the holder secures the checkbook with a fastening device.

Referring now to FIG. 4, wherein like numerals and symbols representlike elements, another embodiment of the purse insert 10 is shown. Inthis embodiment, the purse insert 10 is similar to the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The main difference is that the couplingdevice 24 is a clip 24D similar to that found on a pager or a cellularphone. Each accessory holder 12 will have a loop 24E or other itemcoupled to the bottom body section. A clip 24D will also be coupled tothe bottom body section of each accessory holder 12. The clip 24D willbe used to removably coupled one accessory holder 12 to the loop 24E ofa successive accessory holder 12.

The purse insert 10 will allow one to easily transfer items from onepurse to another. The purse insert 10 may be easily remove from onepurse and inserted into another. The purse insert 10 is adjustable insize. Different combination of accessory holders 12 may be coupledtogether to allow one to form different sizes and configurations ofpurse inserts 10.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. An adjustable size purse insert for easily transferring items fromone purse to another comprising, in combination: a plurality ofaccessory holders wherein each of the plurality of accessory holders isremovably coupled to a successive accessory holder, the plurality ofaccessory holders are interchangeably coupled so that differentaccessory holders may be coupled together to form different size purseinserts, the plurality of accessory holders are coupled on the bottomportion for the insertion/extraction of items exteriorly located on theaccessory holders wherein said bottom coupling provides more flexibilityand storage area, the plurality of accessory holders is designed to holdand store specific individual purse accessory items; and couplingdevices coupled to a body section of each of the plurality of accessoryholders for removably coupling successive accessory holders together. 2.An adjustable size purse insert in accordance with claim 1 wherein thecoupling devices are coupled to at least one of a front or back of thebody section.
 3. An adjustable size purse insert in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the coupling devices comprise: a flat stripped piece ofhook material coupled to a first surface of the accessory holder; and aflat stripped piece of loop material coupled to a second surface of anadjacent accessory holder
 4. An adjustable size purse insert inaccordance with claim 1 wherein the coupling devices comprise: a flatstripped piece of hook material coupled to a first surface of firstaccessory holder; a flat stripped piece of hook material coupled to asecond surface of adjacent accessory holder; and a flat rectangularpiece of loop material coupling the hook material of the first accessoryholder to the hook material of the adjacent accessory holder whereinsaid accessory holders are coupled side-by-side.
 5. An adjustable sizepurse insert in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of theplurality of accessory holders is an eyeglasses/sunglasses casecomprising: an oblong rectangular shaped holder; a closed bottom curveon one end of the oblong holder; and a permanent opening on the otherend of the oblong holder for the insertion/extraction of theeyeglasses/sunglasses.
 6. An adjustable size purse insert in accordancewith claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of accessory holdersis a wallet holder comprising: a rectangular accordion file-type shapedbody and having an opening for the insertion/extraction of a wallet; abendable flap coupled to the rectangular accordion file-type shaped bodythat covers said opening; and a coupling device for securely couplingsaid bendable flap to said rectangular accordion file-type shaped body.7. An adjustable size purse insert in accordance with claim 1 wherein atleast one of the plurality of accessory holders is an ID/credit cardholder comprising: a flat rectangular shaped body; and a plurality ofslots cut in said flat rectangular shaped holder wherein ID/credit cardsare inserted into said slots for holding said credit cards or ID cardsto said flat rectangular shaped body.
 8. An adjustable size purse insertin accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality ofaccessory holders is an address book/PDA holder comprising: arectangular accordion file-type shaped body which is expandable andhaving a single rectangular opening for the insertion/extraction of anorganizer book/PDA; and a zipper coupled to said rectangular accordionfile-type shaped body for opening and closing said opening.
 9. Anadjustable size purse insert in accordance with claim 1 wherein at leastone of the plurality of accessory holders is a cellular phone holdercomprising: a rectangular shaped body of fixed size; a singular openingfor the insertion/extraction of a cellular phone; and a fastening devicecoupled to the rectangular shaped body for securely covering saidopening.
 10. An adjustable size purse insert in accordance with claim 1wherein at least one of the plurality of accessory holders is acheckbook holder comprising: a flat rectangular shaped body of fixedsize; a singular opening for the insertion/extraction of a checkbook;and a fastening device coupled to said flat rectangular body forsecurely covering said opening.
 11. An adjustable size purse insert inaccordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality ofaccessory holders is a cosmetic holder comprising: a rectangularaccordion file-type shaped body which is expandable and having a singlerectangular opening for the insertion/extraction of cosmetics; abendable flap coupled to said rectangular accordion file-type shapedbody for covering said opening; and a coupling device securely couplingsaid bendable flap to said rectangular accordion file-type shaped body.12. An adjustable size purse attachment in accordance with claim 1wherein at least one of the plurality of accessory holders is a keyholder comprising: a flat strip body member for holding one or morekeys, said body member being flexible; and a connector coupled to afirst and second end of said flat strip body member for coupling saidfirst end to said second end to hold said at least one key.
 16. Anadjustable size purse insert for easily transferring items from onepurse to another comprising, in combination: a plurality of accessoryholders wherein each of the plurality of accessory holders is designedto hold and store specific individual purse accessory items; andcoupling devices coupled to the bottom body section of each of theplurality of accessory holders for removably coupling successiveaccessory holders together; wherein at least one of the plurality ofaccessory holders is a key holder comprising: a flat strip body memberfor holding one or more keys, said body member being flexible; and aconnector coupled to a first and second end of said flat strip bodymember for coupling said first end to said second end to hold said atleast one key; wherein at least one of the plurality of accessoryholders is an ID/credit card holder comprising: a flat rectangularshaped body; and a plurality of slots cut in said flat rectangularshaped holder wherein ID/credit cards are inserted into said slots forholding said credit cards or ID cards to said flat rectangular shapedbody.
 17. An adjustable size purse insert in accordance with claim 16wherein at least one of the plurality of accessory holders is aneyeglasses/sunglasses case comprising: an oblong rectangular shapedholder; a closed bottom curve on one end of the oblong holder; and apermanent opening on the other end of the oblong holder for theinsertion/extraction of the eyeglasses/sunglasses.
 18. An adjustablesize purse insert in accordance with claim 16 wherein at least one ofthe plurality of accessory holders is a wallet holder comprising: arectangular accordion file-type shaped body and having an opening forthe insertion/extraction of a wallet; a bendable flap coupled to therectangular accordion file-type shaped body that covers said opening;and a coupling device for securely coupling said bendable flap to saidrectangular accordion file-type shaped body.
 19. An adjustable sizepurse insert in accordance with claim 16 wherein at least one of theplurality of accessory holders is an address book/PDA holder comprising:a rectangular accordion file-type shaped body which is expandable andhaving a single rectangular opening for the insertion/extraction of anorganizer book/PDA; and a zipper coupled to said rectangular accordionfile-type shaped body for opening and closing said opening.
 20. Anadjustable size purse insert in accordance with claim 16 wherein atleast one of the plurality of accessory holders is a cellular phoneholder comprising: a rectangular shaped body of fixed size; a singularopening for the insertion/extraction of a cellular phone; and afastening device coupled to the rectangular shaped body for securelycovering said opening.